Comparing Fender Stratocasters Made in Japan, Mexico & USA - Which one would you buy? 

I just picked up a 2013 MIJ Fender ltd edition 1 of 25 apparently, 62 vintage "dragon" strat. Believe me when I say I have had them all from American standards to deluxe to the custom shop Eric Clapton strat for 4500 bucks as well as Mexican made ones galore! I have never played a better guitar ever and that includes all the Gibson vintage originals or reissues or custom shop versions I've had too. The fit and finish and the neck shape on this beautiful strat is stunning! And the sound of these pickups are the nicest I've heard on anything! I play fingerstyle guitar including all styles like jazz, Chet Atkins, Classical, fusion, blues and rock and whatever else is out there, and the clarity of each note on every string on any fret is indescribable! The separation of each note is so distinctive especially when I play complicated quick tunes like Classical Gas, for example...yes I know....ON A STRAT ...your asking? Yes, even on this strat the clarity of each note is just exceptional! I just can't say enough about these MIJ Fenders. This one will never leave me!!! If you are thinking about picking an MIJ up, don't hesitate! You will never regret it.

I bought a Fender Japan Strat 60’s style in the 90’s and it was the best guitar I’ve ever owned and played, hands down. Instead of the vintage radius 7.5 the fretboard was flatter and wider. After several years I traded it for a Les Paul and I’ve regretted it ever since. I wanted to trade back but it was too late 😢 I want another one

I tried out that same MIM Strat at a Guitar Center and loved it. The Japanese made version is likely what I’ll go for when I’m ready for a Stratocaster.

I have this exact MIJ 60s model. I also have an american one. I only play the japanese with the V neck.

I love your videos, very nice production love it love it

IMO the Japanese one sounds the best, but the US one is an extremely close 2nd. Id probably just get the Japanese one and save almost $1,000

Great videos in this channel, love the aproach ✌ keep doing great man. New subscriber 😁

I've had my MIJ 60's style stratocaster for awhile and I love it so much it has literally become another organ to me pretty much

I close my eyes and i can say all of those guitars sounds awesome, maybe a very little more bass on the USA and Japan models, and some more high volume into the MIM one. I can said that MIM guitars (player series) are just great guitars.

Ohh wow, the japanese one sooo much better than the other two!!!

I like my MIJ hybrid series than any made fenders. The mid range sounding is more desirable for my okaying using MIJ hybrid.

Wow! Such a great video. I've never thought I'll hear such a huge different in a sound. I was pretty sure MIM sounds great, but the sound seems to be very harsh and dirty compared to the Japan version. Looks like its better to buy a second hand USA/Japan version instead of a Player series.

That JV STRAT sounds great.

I think I got lucky with my Mexican Standard. I got it as new old stock, dirt cheap. It’s a joy to play. I sold my American Series because of it. I also previously owned a 2000 MIM Standard which was rather wonderful too. But that one tended to go out of tune and had smaller frets.

I had an American Professional 1 had problems with tuning checked the nut then had a look at the tuners they had PR stamped on them changed them for Schallers tuning problem went away, no wonder they don't say Made in America on them anymore.

The Japanese one

My initial impression in the first 20s of the video. Preference one: white Preference two: burst Preference three: blue The burst and blue have similar sonic profiles, but the blue sounds lower quality (slightly). Maybe a bigger difference is the setup/intonation. The white one seems to have a different sound, and is my favorite.

Hi Sebastian! Firstly thank you for making this video that I NEED! I’m actually struggling to choose my first guitar! I want fender strat, but my 3 lists are quite different from what you pick for this video. My options are : Fender Player Plus Fender Japan Hybrid II Fender American Pro II What are your thoughts about this? Really appreciate if you or maybe anyone in this comment section can give me some insights. Thank you once again.

I got the American pro ii, hands down best guitar for the money I ever bought

I recently bought a MIM Strat, and the fret work is great on mine. Not sure if that's because mine is a Special Run and has a roasted maple neck, but I'm not complaining. I also really like the sound of the MIM pickups and this comparison reassures me on that. Overall, very happy I bought it.

The best strat put aside custom shop (and if may also be better then them) -Mary Kaye 2007 comparative

I have a MIM Fender Deluxe Strat Powerhouse and there isn't a Japanese made strat that comes close in quality or sound. These Powerhouse stats are absolute killers and total game changers.

if the Japanese VJ had a case, it would cost same as US model

I understand $849 is at the “low end” of guitar price ranges, but north of $500 isn’t very budget friendly

Assisti o vídeo duas vezes, apesar do som estar mais baixo o timbre soa mais limpo e mais bonito

Love love love fender Japan

Listen Layla japanese cool sound at 11:09

the japan sound good

are the sound differences of the basswood and alder so big? Im looking for the late '60s / '70s stratocaster but there're a lot made by using basswood , that makes me undecidable , please help me.

What nobody ever mentions is the difference in nut width. Mexican and Japanese Fenders are usually 1 5/8" at the nut. American instruments are usually 1 11/16". The difference is negligible to some but significant for me in terms of playability!

Honestly speaking...... All differences they have you can upgrade, there is no magic that happens in the USA factory.. IMHO, you just have to find the one that comes with features you like playing with. To me it was a Mexican Roadhouse deluxe.. Because it comes with an almost flat fretboard radius and noiseless pickups and locking tuners... A strat is a strat, what makes the difference are the pickups and for playing... the fretboard...

The JV frets don't look like Jumbo - if its a copy of 1950s spec they should be 6320.

All three guitars sound right for their prices. But what's bad Mexican sounds dirtier, I'd pay 500 bucks for it, it's not worth more...

95% all strats sound similar. Very minor differences between pick ups, wood, etc.. Don’t fall in the rabbit hole. If anything get a quality tube amp and speaker. Maybe a quality chorus and reverb for that sparkle in the cleans

The only one that sounds different is the japanese ones

japan made is the most natıral :)

You didn't touch on ONLY 21 FRETS ON THE JAPANESE JV MODELS..I PERSONALLY LOVE THE JV 50S..gives me the Humbucker at bridge also, for bigger tones so to say...I do NOT own the jv 50s YET ..but will soon. I DO own a white Just before players were introduced MIM 6 screw bridge .ceramic .not alnico pups and like it ..AND a 96 AMERICAN standard Sonic blue sss..maple board .love it...however my 1983 SQ Squier 70s JAPANESE MADE with big headstock ,3 bolt neck is awesome . Built like a tank rosewood board black on black ..but still that JV 50S I really liked .I want to try the jv 60s now that you rave about it..Last 2 Strats I have are Peavey falcon USA made .neck is so small its unfair ..lol..and the super strat is a 89 Yamaha 721.1 price alder body Compound radius neck. ,Japanese Trs 101 Floyd Rose DiMarzio made pickups that scream or whisper ...any way I look at I just dig a Strat...and you've made me want that 60s Jv now....Thanks man. Like .I really need another...ha..good video. Thanks

he keeps saying 'vintage' all the time i thought they were old not new models . 1300 for a MIJ is outrageous !! People used to be ashamed of them. i must say i cant tell the difference through the gain in this video - made in Pakistan for me!

Japan sound identical 🥹

If only japanese still make new guitar with alder body I can clearly hear dullness of the basswood